Member Review
Review by
MoMo C, Reviewer
From the very first page, this story settled around me like a comfort I didn’t realise I needed. The opening felt so natural — almost as if I’d slipped into the passenger seat beside Roxie as she headed north towards her new life in the south of Scotland. I warmed to her instantly. There’s something about her determination, her kindness, and her quiet hope for a fresh start that made me root for her straight away. She’s one of those characters who feels real from the moment she appears on the page: capable, grounded, and still carrying the kind of hurt that so many of us recognise.
And then there’s Ciaran. I had a feeling from the start that there was more to him than his first impression. I loved the way he was introduced — prickly on the surface, yet you can feel there’s far more to him than the situation allows you to see early on. Watching his true nature reveal itself, layer by layer, each one softer than the last, was one of my favourite parts of the book. The way these two gradually come to understand each other felt honest and believable, shaped by the everyday rhythms of farm life and the quiet moments in between. The author handled it with a tenderness that never felt rushed or forced.
One of the things that really stood out for me was the farming element woven through the story. As someone who enjoys reading about farming, I absolutely loved how genuine and grounded these parts felt. It added a richness to the setting and made the whole book feel even more real, rooted in the community and the landscape.
Overall, this is a beautifully descriptive, heartfelt story about fresh starts, emotional healing, and finding genuine connection in unexpected places. I loved the characters, I loved the setting, and I loved the gentle warmth that runs through every chapter. It left me with that satisfied sigh you get after spending time with characters you genuinely care about.
A gorgeous, feel-good Scottish romance that I’m so glad I picked up.
This was my first read by Gwen Kirkwood, and now that I’ve felt the emotion and authenticity in her writing, I’ll definitely be exploring more of her novels — maybe even a saga or two — especially if they offer more of that wonderful fictional farming romance.
And then there’s Ciaran. I had a feeling from the start that there was more to him than his first impression. I loved the way he was introduced — prickly on the surface, yet you can feel there’s far more to him than the situation allows you to see early on. Watching his true nature reveal itself, layer by layer, each one softer than the last, was one of my favourite parts of the book. The way these two gradually come to understand each other felt honest and believable, shaped by the everyday rhythms of farm life and the quiet moments in between. The author handled it with a tenderness that never felt rushed or forced.
One of the things that really stood out for me was the farming element woven through the story. As someone who enjoys reading about farming, I absolutely loved how genuine and grounded these parts felt. It added a richness to the setting and made the whole book feel even more real, rooted in the community and the landscape.
Overall, this is a beautifully descriptive, heartfelt story about fresh starts, emotional healing, and finding genuine connection in unexpected places. I loved the characters, I loved the setting, and I loved the gentle warmth that runs through every chapter. It left me with that satisfied sigh you get after spending time with characters you genuinely care about.
A gorgeous, feel-good Scottish romance that I’m so glad I picked up.
This was my first read by Gwen Kirkwood, and now that I’ve felt the emotion and authenticity in her writing, I’ll definitely be exploring more of her novels — maybe even a saga or two — especially if they offer more of that wonderful fictional farming romance.
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